PASSPORTS WITH PURPOSE CALLS UPON TRAVEL ENTHUSIASTS TO HELP BUILD A SCHOOL IN RURAL CAMBODIA

Second Annual Fundraiser Raises Funds for American Assistance for Cambodia

SEATTLE, WA – November 11, 2009 – Passports with Purpose (PwP), a collaborative online fundraiser created by four Seattle-based travel bloggers, returns for a second year with the goal of raising USD13,000 to build a school in rural Cambodia through American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC).

Bloggers are invited to donate prizes and post information about PwP on their site. Beginning November 30, the public can purchase raffle tickets to the prizes on the Passports with Purpose website (www.passportswithpurpose.com), specifying the amount of the donation (in $10 increments). Prizes include travel gear, getaways, hotel stays and more. The donations are made through PayPal, where donors can use a credit card and are not required to have a PayPal account. Donations are received directly by the America Assistance for Cambodia (www.cambodiaschools.com/). The online fundraiser ends on December 21, 2009 and prize winners will be announced on January 5, 2009.

American Assistance for Cambodia (AAfC) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving opportunities for the youth and rural poor in Cambodia. One hundred percent of the proceeds from donated prizes and raffle ticket entries will be used towards AAfC’s rural schools project.

“I’d like to call on those of us lucky enough to have benefited from a good education to share good fortune with the majority of Cambodians who are living close to the poverty line,” said Bernard Krisher, chairman of the American Assistance for Cambodia. “Passports with Purpose and AAfC projects give them the chance to better their lives through education and gives them the message that opportunities are limitless.”

“One of the things I was struck by on my own visit to Cambodia was the strong spirit of hope, and the desire to rebuild both the intellectual society and successful economy that had been destroyed by the Khmer Rouge in the late ’70s,” said Debbie Dubrow. “This year Passports with Purpose will establish a school in a rural area whose children have been deprived from any educational facilities.”

“We really are calling upon travel bloggers to help raise the funds by spreading the word about Passports with Purpose among their networks, readers and social media contacts,” continued Debbie Dubrow. “Like last year, we hope that this effort will not only raise money for a very worthy charity, but also help develop a stronger sense of community among travel bloggers, and demonstrate the effect we can have when we work together.”

For more information about PwP visit, www.passportswithpurpose.com and for more information about AAfC, visit, www.cambodiaschools.com. The 2009 Sponsor is Virtuoso, a network of the world’s finest travel agencies with knowledgeable advisors who draw upon first-hand experience to craft the perfect vacation. They can be found online at www.virtuoso.com.